Stuff Your Bird. Not Your Body. Thanksgiving Tips

The average individual consumes 3000 calories during a Thanksgiving meal. Add wine and cocktails, and this number can top 4500, according to the Calorie Control Council. That’s more than double what our daily caloric intake should be.

We all want to enjoy our holiday meal and not worry about calories. An occasional splurge is part of giving thanks with family and friends. But, there are ways to incorporate moderation into the celebration and feel better the day after.

1. Eat lightly the day before with a focus on fresh vegetables and fiber.

2. Crunch it! Snack on an apple, sliced raw veggies or a handful of unsalted nuts to appease your hungry stomach while you cook or wait for the big meal.

3. Drink a large glass of water before you start imbibing. It will give you a feeling of fullness. Continue to drink water throughout the meal to counter the dehydrating effects of alcohol.

4. Take smaller bites. Cut up your food. Chew slowly. Put the fork down between bites. We all tend to eat too fast.

5. Take a brisk walk or other form of exercise the morning of and/or after your meal.

6. After you clean your plate offer to clear the table. This will hopefully prevent you from going back for seconds.

7. Nibbling is for mice. Resist the urge while you cook or pack up leftovers.

8. If you are invited to someone’s home, offer to bring a salad or vegetable dish (I am always in charge of the salad for our meal).

9. Instead of noshing on leftovers all weekend, start a tradition like we have by hosting a “friendsgiving” Friday potluck and invite people to bring their leftovers for a mashup meal.

10. Pot it or freeze it. All the “remains” of bones, bird and veggies end up simmering in a large pot the weekend after the meal to make broth. Anything left is stored in the freezer.

And that the leftover pumpkin pie still in our freezer from 2016…time to reheat and eat!